St Andrews Research Repository

St Andrews University Home
View Item 
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • University of St Andrews Research
  • View Item
  • Login
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Should a Christian adopt methodological naturalism?

Thumbnail
View/Open
Torrance_2017_Zygon_MethodologicalNaturalism_AAM.pdf (790.9Kb)
Date
09/2017
Author
Torrance, Andrew B.
Keywords
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Christianity
Creation
Faith
Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ
Methodological naturalism
Naturalism
Alvin Plantinga
Theology
BR Christianity
B Philosophy (General)
T-NDAS
BDC
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract
It has become standard practice for scientists to avoid the possibility of references to God by adopting methodological naturalism: a method that requires scientists to assume that the natural world is all that exists. In this essay, I critique the Christian commitment this method, arguing that a Christian’s practices should always reflect her belief that the universe is created and sustained by the triune God. This leads me to contend that the Christian should adopt a theologically humble approach to the sciences (instead of methodological naturalism), with which she humbly acknowledges that special divine action is not discernible by empirical science. To further my critique, I consider three ways in which the practice of methodological naturalism can be particularly problematic for Christianity.
Citation
Torrance , A B 2017 , ' Should a Christian adopt methodological naturalism? ' , Zygon , vol. 52 , no. 3 , pp. 691-725 . https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12363
Publication
Zygon
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12363
ISSN
0591-2385
Type
Journal article
Rights
© 2017 by the Joint Publication Board of Zygon. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12363
Description
The author thanks the John Templeton Foundation for funding the Scientists in Congregations, Scotland program, which gave me the opportunity to work on this article in continual conversation with scientists across Scotland.
Collections
  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/18330

Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Advanced Search

Browse

All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunderThis CollectionBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunder

My Account

Login

Open Access

To find out how you can benefit from open access to research, see our library web pages and Open Access blog. For open access help contact: openaccess@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Accessibility

Read our Accessibility statement.

How to submit research papers

The full text of research papers can be submitted to the repository via Pure, the University's research information system. For help see our guide: How to deposit in Pure.

Electronic thesis deposit

Help with deposit.

Repository help

For repository help contact: Digital-Repository@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Give Feedback

Cookie policy

This site may use cookies. Please see Terms and Conditions.

Usage statistics

COUNTER-compliant statistics on downloads from the repository are available from the IRUS-UK Service. Contact us for information.

© University of St Andrews Library

University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013532.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter